Back on highway 101

Back on highway 101, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

And entering Ventura county

Coasting through Santa Barbara (239.3G2)

Grainy cellphone video of spectacular flower-lined bike path in Santa Barbara.

WorldWideWeb

WorldWideWeb, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We might be staying at aunt Brenda's tonight, but first I've gotta find the right bus. Hopefully this wide web thing can help.

Hi, this my blog.

Hi, this my blog., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Right now I'm hanging out in the bathroom. It's the only place with an electrical outlet and I have to charge this thirsty phone. I'll be in here a while, I reckon.

I was silly to doubt you

I was silly to doubt you, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Refugio, you are a star among state parks.

Tanfastic!

Tanfastic!, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Lonely at the top

Lonely at the top, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I'm at the summit of a 13.5 mile climb, waiting for KT. Just 15 or so miles to go. The troublesome part is we weren't able to get ahold of Refugio park, so we don't really know whether we have a place to stay.

Half-time break

Half-time break, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Leave me bee

Leave me bee, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Please, I've been stung enough on this trip.

70

70, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We need about 70 miles today in order to get out of this Hike&Bike Foreclosure Corridor and into the safety of $3 sleep spaces. Do you think we have It in us?

Apple fritter disguise

Apple fritter disguise, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I am what I eat, therefore I am.

This looks like the place

This looks like the place, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We just have to wait for the sun to set then slip under this bridge.

Where the hell are we gonna stay?

Where the hell are we gonna stay?, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Speaking of blind

Speaking of blind, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Fount me a eye patch.

At 2 Dog Internet Cafe

At 2 Dog Internet Cafe, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We found out the campsite we were going to stay at is closed. So now we're flying blind, hoping to find some nice ditch for the night.

Cayucos

Cayucos, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Means cloud city?

At last

At last, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

It is 1414.4 miles from Vancouver to Harmony.

I'm not religious

I'm not religious, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

But, last night, I prayed that our next-door campers would be blotted from the Earth.

Depressing

Depressing, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I used to love chocolate milk so much, but now, no matter the brand, it just tastes rotten. I just keep drinking it and keep drinking it and keep drinking it, thinking that the joy will return, but no dice - it tastes horrible.

Fount me some glasses

Fount me some glasses, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Speaking of flat

Speaking of flat, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

fLatZ4lyfE!!!

Flat out

Flat out, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We are leaving the hills behind.

The high cost of small cheeses

The high cost of small cheeses, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

The crazy prices of groceries in this part are getting me down. I saw a 10oz can of mixed nuts for $9.50 yesterday! I've quit eating, out of protest, but they're pretending to not notice.

Neverending Hill

Neverending Hill, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Though iron makes up my will, I grow weary of you still.

Ooh coastline, you so fine!

Ooh coastline, you so fine!, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Word.

Word., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We thought about doing 128 miles today, but the 1 seemed like a hassle. So we're just gonna do 28.

Big Big Sur, part 2

Big Big Sur, part 2, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We're camping here. They've got ice cream, of course, like all places of astounding beauty do.

Big Big Sur

Big Big Sur, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Uh, I think we're climbing this.

In Russia, yogurt eats you!

In Russia, yogurt eats you!, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

How is our original Russian doing anyway? Is he reading this, or is he too busy with his fancy new B-A-B-Y?

You and Me

You and Me, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

These are the kinds of delights you find when you go shopping at "Grocery Outlet", in "Marina CA." You are then "stoked" that the total price is "only" $6.33. Now you want to "die" because you've eaten enough "Fancy Truffles" to choke a pig - A.K.A. you, A.K.A. me.

Spartans, tonight we dine indoors

Spartans, tonight we dine indoors, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I was't too keen on shelling out for a motel, but Katie made an offer I couldn't refuse.

Choke on this

Choke on this, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Did I mention this is the artichoke capital of the universe? Did I mention that artichokes are genetic hybrids of a tortoise and a hand grenade? Did I mention that James Dean was killed by one of these mutants?! I hope you're angry. I sure am.

Now Growing

Now Growing, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Iceberg lettuce - the James Dean of crop vegetables?

Vodka break in Moss Landing

Vodka break in Moss Landing, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Bicycles need fuel too.

Cloud Factory

Cloud Factory, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Here's the people that gather the little red machines that I was eating earlier that make the smell I was smelling earlier. Sometimes I confuse my bike for those machines and think that by pedalling harder I can make more smell. It seems to wrork anyway.

Here's the people that gather the little red machines that I was eating earlier that make the smell I was smelling earlier. Sometimes I confuse my bike for those machines and think that by pedalling harder I can make more smell. It seems to wrork anyway., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Re-redundancy

Re-redundancy, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Now that we are both blogging, I feel a little awkward posting something when I know Katie is too.

I don't usually follow signs that point uphill...

I don't usually follow signs that point uphill..., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

But the smell coming from this place this place is amazing. Remember the way the Strawberry Shortcake doll smelled? Like that.

Happiness Is A Warm Plug

Happiness Is A Warm Plug, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Coffee Shop, the mobile office of choice for today's touring cyclist.

Ramenites

Ramenites, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Stupidly, in our search for meatless ramen noodles, we've been ignoring the distinction between the Top and Maruchan brands. If you don't like meat juice, Top is the one you want - especially the chile flavor. It is to die for.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Blah, Blah, Blah

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Blah, Blah, Blah, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

What's so great about it anyway? I saw it like 4 years ago, but you don't see me going around bragging.

Beer Fund

Beer Fund, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

In case there are any rich folks reading this, I've put a donation button over there on the left. After Hypothetical Rich Person clicks it, it takes them to a PayPal form with a $1.19 (the average cost of a can of Steel Reserve) donation prefilled - though I think that amount can be adjusted for comfort.



So, if you know any rich ones, send 'em over.

Peril

Peril, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Disappearing shoulder - check

Thick fog - check

Falling rocks - check

Steep climb - check

Leaving San Francisco

Leaving San Francisco, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Leisure is nice, but we are a different sort of human. We are possessed. We must go South.



That's Katie there, stealing sand.

In Descent

A little before reaching 43mph, I put the camera away so I could hang on with both hands. The thing is, I could probably film a pretty gnarly death for myself, but how would I then upload it?

fun with ceiling

No Breakdancing On Cliff Walls

No Breakdancing On Cliff Walls, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Because I have momentary access to a real computer (thanks David), I wanted to post some pictures from my real camera, but after looking through them, there are too many I really like. So I'll just save them for a big flickr set after this is over.

It's Potter Time

It's Potter Time, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Please, Harry, don't hurt 'em. (In 3D!!!)

Update: It's Junk.

SF AfterDinner Peeps

SF AfterDinner Peeps, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

David, John, Linda, KT, Sylvia

Hail Satan

Hail Satan, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

My Good&Plenty tribute to our dark lord.

The weight is up.

The weight is up., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Whoa! I have gained 9lbs since I started this trip. So, these mysterious nine are hiding in my:

A) heavy heart

B) muscley ass

C) snack belly

D) dirty beard

Tune in tonight for the vivisection that will answer all questions.

I have everything.

I have everything., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I have San Francisco. I have pasta. I have family. I have day off. I have phone.



P.S. Did you miss me?

I still don't have my phone

I still don't have my phone, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

It's in Vancouver, and we've hadly had any cell coverage to call them and work something out, vis a vis delivering an item internationally to a moving target. With some luck though, I'll be back online, literally, in just a few days. See you then.